Johannesburg, Aug 29 (ANI): Swiss tennis ace Roger Federer has reportedly equalled former tennis star Wayne Ferreira's record of playing in 56 consecutive Grand Slams by defeating Slovenia's Grega Zemlja in the first round of the US Open.

According to Sport24, the 17-time major winner, who also holds the record for most Grand Slam titles won, has had a troublesome year, which has seen him slide to No 7 in the ATP world rankings.

The report further said that Federer can break the South African legend's record by winning in the Australian Open, if not the US Open, which would just add to another long list of records for the Swiss star, who has now played every Grand Slam since the 2000 Australian Open.

According to the report, Ferreira, who retired in 2005, participated in 56 consecutive Grand Slams between the 1991 Australian Open and the 2004 US Open, with his best major results coming at the Australian Open.

Ferreira also won a silver medal in doubles with Pietie Norval at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, the report added. (ANI)